Community Missions

Food Pantry

Since 1990, the Carnegie Ministries Food Pantry at First Baptist has been supplying food to hungry and economically disadvantaged persons in the Corbin community. Our Food Pantry serves approximately 1100 families each year, providing food to some 2000 people. The Food Pantry is located in the Carnegie Library building directly across the street from the church, and it is open every Thursday from 1-2PM.

In March 2017 the Blessing Box was made available in front of the Food Pantry for use by the community to give to as they see fit or take from as they need.

Baptist Housing

Baptist Housing is a 64 unit living facility for elderly and mobility impaired adults. The vision of then-pastor John T. Dunaway and a group of FBC members, Baptist Housing was built in 1981 and has been a vital resource to the Corbin community ever since. The executive board of Baptist Housing is comprised of First Baptist members, and it remains an integral ministry in the life of First Baptist Church.

The Mustard Seed Community Garden

First Baptist Church is a community that celebrates the goodness of God’s creation and the Christian call to steward it properly. To that end, the Mustard Seed Garden at First Baptist Church was planted in the spring of 2016 to serve as a resource for educating our community about gardening, healthy eating, creation care, and human-land interconnectedness. Crops from our garden go directly to hungry persons from the Corbin community and to educating our congregation and community on food preparation and healthy lifestyles. Each week, partner families receive a box of freshly harvested vegetables, and in return those families help us in the garden and attend our food preparation classes. We have chosen to call our garden “The Mustard Seed Garden” because, though it begins with 12 beds and serves but a modest number of local families, our faithful prayer is that it will grow ten-fold, stretching across our church property and feeding more and more hungry members of the Corbin community. If you are interested in being involved with the Mustard Seed Garden or in being a recipient of the garden’s produce, please call the church office at 606.528.4738.

Strategically placed tables have been placed in the garden for people to sit, relax and enjoy. In the Spring of 2017 a Little Free Library was placed near the garden providing books for any who wish to sit and enjoy a good story in the garden or to take home to read.

Click here to check out the Growing in the Garden blog with the latest harvest information!

White Flag Cold Weather Relief Ministry

Over the summer of 2017 church members (especially the missions committee) had a winter relief ministry on their hearts and minds. In December 2017 we kicked off our "Winter Relief Ministry," an exciting and important new ministry that provides shelter for the homeless on nights when the weather will drop below 29 degrees. On these nights we, through a partnership with a local hotel, share room vouchers—administered on a first come, first served basis—with individuals and/or families who otherwise would be exposed to the cold. Check-in will be at 5PM in the Family Life Center, and a meal will be served before guests are taken by van to the hotel.

While aware of the fact that this is a much larger problem that the church cannot provide a quick fix for or a long term answer, we recognize our responsibility to the least of these. We feel it’s our call to see Jesus in everyone and particularly in the least of these. And in a season when it’s so cold and conditions are harsh and the least of these find themselves without access to warmth and a roof, we as a church want to see Jesus in those people and want to do what we believe Jesus would have us do.

In order to sustain this ministry, we greatly appreciate any financial contribution you feel led to give. You can contribute easily by making a donation through our e-giving portal. If you don't have an account, just click Quick Give on the left, and select White Flag Cold Weather Relief Ministry. Meanwhile, we covet volunteers who are willing to help with kitchen needs (warming up and serving pre-prepared soup), with check-in (taking guest names and cross-referencing to make sure the guest in question has not previously run afoul of our published policies), and with van transport (driving or riding). If you are willing to help in any of these ways, please call the church office.

Here's hoping that, through this new ministry, we can demonstrate the spirit of Christ in winter to some of those who will be most affected by the coming cold.

Want to be involved but can't contribute financially? We are collecting the following items to be included in “care” packages that will be given to participants in our Cold Weather Ministry. Collection bins will be at church entrances. Please give as you are able.